Photo by john larson
AWARD WINNER. Nathe Lawver, left, presents the George Ginnis Award for Community Service to Chris Winters.
Organized labor celebrated its service to the community during the second annual Union Solidarity Summit, held earlier this month at Hotel Murano in Tacoma.
A total of 90,909 pounds of food was collected for Emergency Food Network during a recent union food drive. More than 80,000 pounds came from members of Teamsters Local 117, which earned the union the Golden Soup Can Award. Tracey Thompson, secretary/treasurer of the union, accepted the award. “I am always astounded by the generosity of our members,” Thompson said. “This contribution shows that unions care deeply about their communities.”
Gary Lyle of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 367 said the food drive took place over 60 days.
“In today’s economy, a lot of people are one paycheck away from needing social services,” he said. “Throughout history when times are tough, workers have turned to their unions for help.”
Paul Zilly, communications coordinator with Teamsters Local 117, said the summit was a way to highlight the good work that organized labor does. “We are excited and proud of the generosity of our members. It shows the dedication unions have to building a stronger community.”
Local 117 has between 16,000 and 17,000 members, making it the third-largest Teamsters local in the nation. Many work in warehouses for grocery companies and were able to get their employers to donate to the food drive. These connections, coupled with the union’s large membership, no doubt were factors in Local 117 collecting the most food.
“It was a friendly competition,” Zilly said. “We are excited to receive the award.”
Each central labor council in the nation can present one George Meany Labor Scouting Award. It is named after a former president of the American Federation of Labor/Council of Industrial Organizations who was a strong supporter of Boy Scouts.
Patty Rose, secretary/treasurer of Pierce County Central Labor Council, presented the award to John Ohlsen of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 120. He was recognized for founding Boy Scout Troop 27 on Fox Island. It had six members when it started two years ago and has grown to 18.
“It is a lot like organizing a union,” Ohlsen said of leading Boy Scouts. “It can be a tough, uphill climb at times.”
Chris Winters of International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 1964 received the George Ginnis Award for Community Service. This is named for a former business agent for International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 23.
Nathe Lawver of the labor council presented the award to Winters.
He served in the U.S. Army for 10 years. He was honored for his efforts on behalf of Helmets to Hardhats, a program that helps military veterans land employment in the construction trades.
“He has great love for his country and his community,” Lawver said of Winters.
A raffle held during the event raised about $1,000 for charitable causes.
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